Hey guys, I'm a poor college student (freshmen at William Patterson University, Communications major) who's been watching many of the excellent films up on this site for a while. However, I never checked out the forum until today.

I've shot countless, mindless short films. My favorite (A short fight scene) is (url removed).

I prefer DV over film, mostly because thats what I've got my hands on right now. It's a decent medium to get a point across.

My influences are drawn from many different places for my films, mostly old low budget horror, kung fu, blaxploitation, grindhouse type pictures. Lots of Asian and Italian cinema as well. Some of my favorite directors are Dario Argento, Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez, Ruggero Deodato, Lucio Fulci, Darren Aronofsky, Kinji ***asaku, Ronny Yu, Akira Kurosawa, and John Woo.

I'm glad to join the board and I'll help with anything I'm able to (though I'm still very much a novice.) I'm always open to advice and constructive criticism.

I edit on a Vegas 5 station, so if anyone needs help with that, I know the ins and outs.

Welcome to the forum. Make sure you read over our rules...we actually don't allow linking to films on external sites. Thanks.

Welcome Paul!
Why don't you submit your film to the site so everyone can view it?

paul , welcome, its s shame they removed your link would have loved to have seen it. ALthought this site is great, i do think some of the rules are pretty lame. Cant post link outside of this page? thats pretty stupid in my opinion. So if i have my own website and i would like to get feed back, i cant just because i dont have my film on this site. Its lame really. "oh we are here to help students, bull**** you are here to make money off hosting films too, if you really only cared about helping students you wouldnt mind students posting link to thier own film sites to get feedback. Thats one the major flaws with this site in my opinion.

Watson, I understand your concerns.

I've been debating the whole entire "linking to another site" issue for a long time.

The benefits of having your film hosted on Studentfilms.com is huge. I definitely do not mean to turn anyone off by that policy.

-Chris
Studentfilms.com

sorry about that mods. i read the rules, i've just been in quite a daze over the past few days and I didn't pay attention. I really didn't mean it though.

Watson, I guess that like all businesses, they need to keep themselves afloat. If I had extra money to pay to host my short films, I would. The url that they deleted from my post allows free hosting, as long as you don't infringe anyones copyrights.

if anyone would like to see any of my stuff, please feel free to get ahold of me via my email or AOL instant messager: iamstrange138 until I have the funds to needlessly pay someone, I guess this is how it has to be.

It's a great site, and while I do sort of disagree with the rule, rules are rules, which are ment to be abided, not bent or broken. Sorry again for breaking that. I didn't mean to.

Watson, I would suggest knowing what you're talking about before making such statements. This site does not make any profit. The funds from hosting films goes to keeping the site alive. Therefore, linking to other sites robs this site of the funds it needs to survive.

We have made this very clear every time someone has questioned this rule. It is not something we enjoy, but it is necessary.

JW you should probably remove the link from your post, the link to your site. You wouldnt wanna break any rules would you? i might go view a video on there that this site doesnt have.

I think there should be a line drawn between blatantly saying hey guys check out my film over HERE, and just posting your production company url in your signature. That doesnt necessarily take away from studentfilms, it jsut gives people an opportnity to learn more about a particular poster. On the same note, there are some films that you would never post to studentfilms, because they are old or just for fun or whatever, but you might want to share. I dont know how you would make an exception between a film that your proud of and want everyone to see, and just a little POS that you made on the side (Like paul's fight video) that was more of a "hey this is what I do, look for soemthing better from me in the future to be posted to the site"

Lastly, as for being too poor to post a film to the site, whats it cost like 10bux? mow someones lawn. Save up your change for a week, $10 is an attainable goal.

quote:

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Originally posted by watson:
JW you should probably remove the link from your post, the link to your site. You wouldnt wanna break any rules would you? i might go view a video on there that this site doesnt have.

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There are no films on my site that are not on this one, and there never will be as long as that link is in my signature.

Thanks for playing.

I told you before watson. It's usually not too smart to mess with the mods.

My buddy JW shut you down.

yeah man, i was being sarcastic about being too poor to post on the site, however, logically I could have a point. I mean, video equipment isn't cheap at all. The canon that i'm working my ass off to obtain (XL1s) is going to cost me at least two grand. Add on my payments to college, my payments for car insurance, and my payments for various other bills, that doesn't leave a lot of money to eat, let alone pay someone to host a movie.

Yes, eventually after I finish paying for college books (they cost an arm, a leg, and a nut) I'll put a movie or two online. That screen test I put up that was removed was basically nothing more than a lousy demo reel. I wouldn't pay a dime to host it anywhere. My next short however, that I'd be willing to shell out dough for.

Jesus, I realized I caused quite a commotion on my first day on the boards. I'm really sorry about all of that guys. Thanks for all of the feedback on the message though, at least someone reads the messages here, unlike at the various other message boards I frequent.

Don't sweat it, you'r not the first to do it and won't be the last. Besides, it's this Watson character that is cause all the comotion, not you.

Welcome to the site.

Cammo

It's not smart to mess with mods?

what are you guys, super cyber cops?

Watson is just voicing his oppinion, I think you guys need to get a grip.

I don't think you should have deleted the link either, I mean if it's just a clip it's no big deal, and I thought that we were allowed to post screen tests.

I truly think this rule needs to be re-evaluated. The number of films being submitted to this site seems to be constant, I don't think chris will lose out on any loot.

Hey clue, lighten up man. I was kidding. Don't be so dramatic.

Oh, and just remember what Chris said:

"I've been debating the whole entire "linking to another site" issue for a long time.

The benefits of having your film hosted on Studentfilms.com is huge. I definitely do not mean to turn anyone off by that policy."

Chris knows about the concerns of this rule and if he sees fit to change the rules, then so be it. But until then, the rule has to be followed, and enforced as well.

Woah guys...calm down. This drama isn't what the site is about.

If this whole linking thing is going to cause this much of a mess then I'm seriously questioning the policy.

I don't really mind it, it's just when people take advantage of it that it starts to become a problem.

Remember the benefits of submitting to the site:

- tons of viewers (the films in the top ten usually get 500-1000 views per month)
- your film gets reviewed in 5 categories
- your film gets displayed on the main page of the site for a month (sometimes more)
- and the randomizer feature on the genre pages and the main page ensure that your film always has a chance to be seen.

Best Regards,
Chris Wright
Studentfilms.com

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Studentfilms.com,

I rarely (if at all) get involved in debates such as this, but feel the need to add my sometimes worthless opinion!

While I'm not a student, but a long-time member of the site (hopefully as a positive influence), I can see both sides of this situation.

The site is charging for hosting, but the fees are so minimal vs the benefits, that I feel that is a no-brainer. Of course, as a student/student filmmaker, I know every penny counts (and that goes for some adults too!).

However, for someone like me, I'm not a student and I wouldn't be allowed (I assume) to submit to the site. However, there are many people on the board (from the young ACLOTM to the experienced NOTAMONO and TIZZY) that I would value their opinion and want them to see my work. With the rule of no external links to films, someone like me would be left out completely.

There are a lot of spammers out there and unscrupulous webmasters that would love to scratch their way into SF.com and "take business" (though I believe Chris is not into this for making a killing!).

However, with all that said, it would be nice for those members, both students and non-students, who have access to their own website (not a competitive hosting site) to be able to link to their own work for board feedback. That way the Chris and the underpaid mods can view each post on a case-by-case basis.

Will it be completely fair if mods delete a link? No, but as it stands now, there are no links anyway!

Again, just my two cents and pardon me for jumping into your debate! Good luck sorting this out.

sometimes, a movie isn't worth hosting, and you just want an opinion on it. that was my case. there will be things that I host here in the future (i promise.) i agree that the minimal hosting fee vs. the benefits are really good, it's just a matter of not wanting to blow 10 dollars on hosting a movie that's really just not worth it. of course, i do respect Chris's rule about external linking, because it has pros and cons, and this site is great.

OT: the thing i like most about this site so far is how this thread (or most of the other threads i've looked at) hasn't become a flame war. it's an organized discussion, and despite the fact that my post caused lots of feedback and might've given some people a headache, i'm glad to be in a group who has an intelligent discussion about the issue. wow. i'm tired and rambling now. sleep time.

Wow! That was the most awesome postage I've had the privelege to read in a while. Everyone was cool. That was great.

Now my two cents.

Chris sets the rules and the mods enforce it. Therefore, attacking the mods about the rules is useless sense Chris is the one who decides.

Now, say that you were trying to run a restaraunt. Business is fair, you're barely making enough to keep afloat.
Then someone comes in, a small time business competitor for example, and leaves a fliar on the tables saying - "Come eat at Joe's!"
What would you do?
You would obviously discourage such advertisement and get all the help you could to stop it.
Its the same thing for this site. Maybe when chris is rolling in the dough he'll lighten up on the rule, but for now, its fine the way it is.


Oh, and welcome Paul, I can tell you're going to fit right in!